Detention Training Order

When you are sent to Custody you could be sent to different places depending on your age and any needs you have. Wherever you go, you will be with other young people not with adults and you will be looked after by staff who are used to working with young people. The types of custody are:

• Secure Children’s Home.

• Secure Training Centre.

• Young Offenders Institution (YOI/ Prison)

YOIs and secure placement are outside Merseyside. Most young people who go to a YOI from the local Youth Court will be sent to Wetherby YOI which is in Yorkshire. If you get placed in a secure unit, you could be placed in Manchester, Yorkshire or further away. Your Youth Justice Service worker will give you advice and support about this and, if you get a DTO, they will try to get you into the most appropriate placement to meet your needs. Wherever to you go to, your worker will have regular contact with you and try to make sure you get regular contact and visits from family and carers.

It's really important to tell your YJS worker what your concerns about custody are. If you’re scared – tell you’re worker this and tell them why, if you can. Also, if you are afraid of other young people who might already be in custody, it’s important to tell your worker as these things might help to decide where you get placed if you get a DTO.

There are 2 parts to a DTO:-

1. Custody

2. Community

You usually have to do the first half of your DTO in custody. After court, a YJS worker will come and see you in the court cells and tell you where you are going. When you arrive at a YOI or secure unit, you will be helped by staff on site to settle in and your YJS worker will come to visit you within the first couple of weeks. They will also have contact with you regularly after that – at least monthly. As well as supporting you while you are in custody, they will be helping to plan for your release.

Usually around the halfway point, you will be released into the community. Sometimes, you might get released even earlier on tag if your behaviour has been good. When you get released, you’ll work with your worker on a plan to try and support you and stop you from getting into trouble. A Supervision Plan can include:-

• Supporting you with education or employment

• Positive activities

• Help with any issues such as drug, anger, learning needs or mental health

You might also be given some restrictions which you must stick to. These might include

• Places you can’t visit.

• People you can’t see (such as the victims of your crime).

• Times you have to stay at home (Tag).

If you do not follow the rules you can be sent back to custody!

On the Day of Court

When you go to court, it’s a good idea to assume the worst as otherwise, you’ll be gutted if you get a DTO. If you think you might get a DTO, these are some things which can be done to ease you first few weeks in secure or YOI. These are not obvious but they will make your life easier:

1. Firstly, phone numbers. You probably keep all your contact details on your phone. You aren’t able to have a mobile phone in prison! Write into a small address book the numbers and addresses of people who you need to stay in contact with. Family and friends are obvious, but what about your solicitor, social worker or YJS worker? Same with birthdays - write them down while you have the chance.

2. Secondly, you don’t want to be wearing expensive watches and nice rings or necklaces if you are in secure or YOI. Best to leave them at home on the day you go to court.

3. Thirdly, take some money with you when you go to court! If you get a DTO you will hand over any cash you have and this will be held in an account for you at the prison. You will be able to spend this on small necessities such as phone credits to allow you to make outside calls while in prison, and on small luxuries like decent soap or shampoo, chocolate or sweets. This could make a big difference to you and help you settle in.

4. If you take medication, bring it to court with you! The YOI or secure unit will take this from you and will arrange that you can have access to it when needed.